In the last three weeks, the Santa Fe New Mexican has run two major stories related to medical care and prices at Alta Vista Regional Hospital and in its parent company, Community Health Systems, Inc.

The first story concerned fines of nearly $100 million assessed on the parent company to settle a variety of legal cases involving referrals for service and resulting unnecessary charges for services. The second story involved high chargess by many hospitals in New Mexico to patients who do not have insurance. Summaries of those stories are below.

A rumor was spreading through the town earlier this week that the gas station at Romeroville was closing or had been closed down by some agency or another, citing the ripping out of the gas pumps as evidence.

Closer inspection reveals that the pumps were removed so new pumps could be installed and that the official-looking vehicles in the area were on hand to calibrate the new pumps.

The Optic reported last week that the first floor of the new student center at Highlands was to open on Monday in time for the end of spring break. Well, the doors were unlocked, so one could walk in the front and out the back, but the only facilities open were the book store and the "facilities." The bagel shop, convenience store, post office, box office, and cafeteria were not yet ready for prime time. Still, the interior of the building is impressive.

In the Optic's coverage of water and the weather as the number-two story of 2011, they failed to mention effluent water. In April, the city suddenly banned all outdoor watering, as the Optic pointed out. But on Memorial Day, the city just as suddenly started offering effluent water to residents who had the equipment needed to haul it.

Jazzology, the local jazz vocal group, will perform a birthday salute to Duke Ellington on April 26. The concert is in observance of Ellington's 115th birthday on April 29 and in remembrance of the Duke's appearance at Highlands in 1967.

The group, led by Joe Cooney, will be joined by Ann Mishler on the piano, Ralph Marquez on drums, and Ed Harrington on bass.

The Las Vegas Children's Chorus, sponsored by students and music faculty member Kevin Zoernig of the United World College, began meeting from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Old Town Mission (Chavez at Socorro adjacent to Rio Gallinas). All 6- to 12- year-old children are welcome, and a season of multicultural singing will culminate in a December performance at the Montezuma castle. For more information, contact sophie,karbjinski@hotmail.de or Kevin Zoernig 505-699-6624.